Additive manufacturing in Europe boosted by CECIMO partnerhsip

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CECIMO, the body behind Europe’s additive manufacturing strategy, has announced a new partnership with EPMA, the European Powder Metallurgy Association. Together, under a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU), the two organizations are aiming to promote the adoption of 3D printing throughout established manufacturing industries.

As commented by Filip Geerts, Director General of CECIMO, in the introduction of the European 3D printing strategy, “If Europe aims to remain a leader in advanced manufacturing production, it will need to succeed in the global race to industrialise additive manufacturing.”

The initiative between CECIMO and EPMA then will focus on the integration of 3D printing with existing systems, and its scaleability for series production.

SLM in action at Fraunhofer ILT Aachen. SLM is one of the main focuses of the EPMA. Photo via Fraunhofer ILT.

CECIMO connects

CECIMO is the European Association of the Machine Tool Industry responsible for “conveying the concerns of the AM industry to the EU authorities.” A conglomeration of 15 national bodies, including the UK’s Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) and the German Machine Tool Builders Association VDW, the organization serves approximately 1300 industrial enterprises across the European continent (EU, EFTA & Turkey).

The association is involved in helping develop appropriate additive manufacturing standards inline with EU regulations, writing curricula for 3D printing in education, and helping institutions direct their spending to lucrative areas of research. One of CECIMO’s suggested policies, is a drive to “connect fab-labs across Europe,” an initiative similar to the Fab City movement started in Barcelona.

Map of CECIMO nations. Image via CECIMO

EPMA’s powder bed expertise

EPMA’s role is to raise the profile of powder-based 3D printing practices within the conventional manufacturing sphere. As such, the association has launched a number of educational workshops across the continent, and promoted the technology in an widely-distributed introductory brochure.

Beau Jackson is Senior Journalist at 3D Printing Industry. With a longstanding commitment to the site's content, she is credited with producing more articles than any other author in its history. Well-versed in the latest 3D printing research and legal/regulatory challenges, her repertoire spans aerospace, automotive, maritime, medical and creative industries. She is a keen speaker and active representative of the company at key additive manufacturing events.